Illegal pass, head-on crash on Mt. Washington Drive bring reckless driving charge; small co.’s truck also totaled

(Update: Crash also totaled small excavation co.'s pickup)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – A driver’s illegal pass led to a head-on crash on NW Mt. Washington Drive Monday afternoon that closed the road for two hours and led to reckless driving charges, police said. It also dealt a severe blow to the small business whose pickup truck he hit.

Bend Police responded around 3 p.m. Monday to the crash on Mt. Washington Drive near Wild Rye Circle, Communications Manager Sheila Miller said Tuesday.

The male driver of a Toyota Avalon illegally passed another vehicle in a no-passing zone (over the double-yellow lines) and collided head-on with a pickup truck, Miller said.

There were no major injuries, she said, and the Avalon’s driver was cited for reckless driving and failure to carry valid proof of insurance.

The road was closed for cleanup for about two hours, Miller said.

The pickup truck that was hit by the wrong-way driver can no longer be used, according to James Snelling of Green Ridge Excavation.

Snelling told NewsChannel 21 he has to temporarily shut down until he figures out how to keep his business running.

He also wants to remind people just how dangerous - and devastating - illegal passing can be.